Short Subjects

Posted January 10, 2008

January films

The Martha's Vineyard Film Society recently announced their run of January films to begin this Saturday, Jan. 12, at 7:30 pm. "The Great World of Sound" is the first of the month's films. Directed by Craig Zobel, who is nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for the film, "Great World" addresses the growing culture of fame-seeking individuals. Following the example of our reality television-craving world, the movie focuses on a man, Martin (Pat Healy), who trains to become a record producer. In his search for talent, he begins to question the virtuosity of the company and the cost of wealth and success.

"A confident, sure-handed exercise focusing on the American Dream, turned nightmare," says Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun-Times.

The next film the society will screen is "Kurosawa," on Jan. 19. The film is a documentary of the 20th century filmmaker Akira Kurosawa and includes interviews with Clint Eastwood and James Coburn.

"The Great World of Sound" 7:30 pm, Saturday, Jan. 12, Katharine Cornell Theatre, 54 Spring St., Vineyard Haven. Sponsored by Martha's Vineyard Film Society. $8; $5 for members. For more information, visit mvfilmsociety.com or call 774-392-2972.

Original Island art

Currently at Island Art Gallery-Kennedy Studios in Vineyard Haven, Island artist Marston Clough is exhibiting original work. Included are etchings, linocuts, woodcuts, and lithographs. All works are limited editions, numbering less than ten, and have Island themes such as fishing and lobstering. For more information, call 508-693-3948 or visit kennedystudiosmv.com.

Seeking student art

Island children in grades pre-kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to submit art to the second annual Vineyard Smiles art show. Submitted artwork should portray an interpretation of a "Vineyard Smile;" should me no bigger than 8 ½ x 14 inches; and should be mounted or matted on a larger size paper suitable for hanging. Also, include name, grade, and school on the back of each piece. Students may submit art to their school art teacher, the Boys and Girls Club art director, or to the Vineyard Health Care Access Program's office located at 114 New York Avenue in Oak Bluffs. The artists' deadline is Friday, Jan. 25. Entries will be displayed during February at various locations such as the Steamship Authority, Mocha Mott's, Martha's Vineyard Hospital, Island Heath Care Rural Clinic, and Island schools. For more information, call 508-693-6488.

Traveling book group begins

The Aquinnah library has announced the start of a new traveling book group. Led by Phil Weinstein, an English professor at Swarthmore College who has written several books on William Faulkner and is at work on another while on sabbatical this year at his home in Aquinnah, "Fictions of Race in 20th century America" will meet five times between now and June. The first meeting is at the Aquinnah library, at 5:30 pm on Thursday, Jan. 31, when Faulkner's "Go Down Moses" will be discussed. "Native Son" by Richard Wright will be the subject of the second meeting, to be held at the West Tisbury library in early March. The Vineyard Haven library hosts the third discussion on "The Confessions of Nat Turner" by William Styron in April. Toni Morrison's "Song of Solomon" will be the focus of the fourth meeting, at the Chilmark library in May. Finally, "The Known World" by Edward Jones will be discussed at the Oak Bluffs library in June. For more information, call the Aquinnah library at 508-645-2314.

Salsa in the lounge

Che's Lounge in Vineyard Haven is offering Salsa dance classes every Friday evening at 7:30 pm. Your first lesson is free; after that, it will cost between $5 and $10. For more information, call Saskia Vanderhoop at 508-645-2008, or Che's Lounge at 508-693-8555.